Giveaway – Mermaids are Real in Ice Crypt by Tiana Warner @tianawarner @XpressoReads

Ice Crypt by Tiana Warner

(Mermaids of Eriana Kwai, #2)
Publication date: July 25th 2016
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

From award-winning author Tiana Warner comes the sequel to Ice Massacre, the #1 Amazon Kindle Best Seller.

Meela has just returned from the Massacre—the annual attempt to wipe out the mermaids threatening her people’s survival. After forming an unlikely connection with Lysi, a mermaid she was trained to kill, Meela is determined to stop the war between humans and merpeople for good. She knows of a legendary weapon that could bring peace if she uses it against King Adaro, ruler of the Pacific Ocean. But her people have plans for future Massacres and refuse to help her uncover it.

While Meela works in secret to unearth the Host of Eriana, Lysi is held captive under Adaro’s tyranny. Sent to the battlefront, Lysi joins forces with a band of rebels that could either bring her freedom—or have her executed for treason.

Separated by the vast Pacific Ocean, Meela and Lysi must find a way to defeat King Adaro and end the war that has been keeping them apart.

Goodreads / Amazon

MY REVIEW FOR ICE MASSACRE BY TIANA WARNER

Grab book 1 – Ice Massacre – for only 99¢ until July 31st!
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EXCERPT:

Hanging from the crooked branch of a maple tree wasn’t that glamorous—not what my people would expect from an honoured Massacre survivor. Legs swinging to try and get a foothold, strands of hair clinging to my face, I heaved myself onto the next branch.

This would have been easier if I’d had the use of both hands.

Out of breath and halfway up, I paused, deciding how best to continue. The tree had forked and my legs were splayed, one foot against each trunk. In my fist, the owlet gave a feeble hoot.

I glared at him. He could hardly be called cute, with his sparse white fluff and oversized feet.

“Your family reunion better be worth all of this,” I said.

I pushed off one trunk and wrapped my limbs around the other, then shimmied higher until I was level with the nest.

Two owlets peered back at me, identical to the one in my fist.

“Gaawhist,” I said. Home, sweet home.

I placed my rescue next to his siblings, where he toppled sideways and blinked a few times. I poked him to make sure I hadn’t squeezed him too tightly. He ruffled himself and settled in.

Maybe I couldn’t help everyone survive, but I could, at least, save this one life.

I just hoped the mother would return soon.

I leaned against the trunk and caught my breath, my thoughts turning back to what I’d come here for. I inhaled slowly, letting the sweet scent of maple buds calm me.

From this height, the wooden, mossy cabin below seemed less imposing. I could see how these grounds might have once been used for camping—back when seaside camping was not a life-threatening activity. Now, this cabin was one of many classrooms at the Safe Training Base. Once a place to connect with wilderness, now a place to learn the best way to slaughter a sea demon.

 

Author Bio:

#1 AMAZON KINDLE BESTSELLING AUTHOR Tiana Warner was born and raised in British Columbia, Canada. In her spare time, she enjoys riding her horse, Bailey, and collecting tea cups.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter



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Ice Crypt by Tiana Warner

Ice Crypt

by Tiana Warner

Giveaway ends July 25, 2016.

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Review: Ice Massacre by Tiana Warner

I saw Ice Massacre by Tiana Warner and knew I had to have it.

This is not your romantic version of mermaids, so beware.

Themes and Distinguishing Factors:.

● Portrayal of mermaids based on the true legend of flesh-eating sea demons.
● Predominantly female cast of eighteen-year-old warriors and mermaids.
● Native American setting, near Haida Gwaii and in the Gulf of Alaska.
● LGBT: self-discovery and acceptance of sexuality.
● Themes of love, loyalty, betrayal, and trust.

Add me to Goodreads now.

ICE MASSACRE by Tiana Warner

  • File Size: 1654 KB
  • Print Length: 307 pages
ISBN -0988003937 (ISBN13: 9780988003934)

Publisher: Rogue Cannon Publishing (September 18, 2014)

4.5 out of 5 stars out of 22 reviews on Amazon

SYNOPSIS

A mermaid’s supernatural beauty serves one purpose: to lure a sailor to his death.

The Massacre is supposed to bring peace to Eriana Kwai. Every year, the island sends its warriors to battle these hostile sea demons. Every year, the warriors fail to return. Desperate for survival, the island must decide on a new strategy. Now, the fate of Eriana Kwai lies in the hands of twenty battle-trained girls and their resistance to a mermaid’s allure.

Eighteen-year-old Meela has already lost her brother to the Massacre, and she has lived with a secret that’s haunted her since childhood. For any hope of survival, she must overcome the demons of her past and become a ruthless mermaid killer.

For the first time, Eriana Kwai’s Massacre warriors are female, and Meela must fight for her people’s freedom on the Pacific Ocean’s deadliest battleground.

MY REVIEW

The cover jumped out at me and I knew Ice Massacre was a novel I had to have.

The blood spewing off the mermaid’s tail told me this would not be a nice story with warm and loving mermaids. Ice Massacre is a grim and dark tale. I am super excited to read a mermaid book in which the Splash version (which I loved) is replaced with vicious sea monsters. An original mermaid “tail”, probably more true to the legends than the romanticized version we seem to prefer. Ice Massacre starts out wicked bad and continues that way. This novel will wipe out any illusions or fantasies you have about the beautiful and sexy mermaids.

Tiana’s writing is detailed and descriptive, riveting and engrossing, from beginning to end. Her ability to weave a story kept me reading long into the night.

Oh, goodie, a mermaid hunter. I can’t believe it. New to me and I love it. I was thinking there will be a lot more to the story and I wasn’t disappointed.

The island people are starving to death, because the mermaids do not allow them to catch their main resource, fish. They have no choice but to continue the massacres. Their very survival depends on it. Would the citizens of the island of Eriana Kwai get their life back, or stay poor, depending on others charity for their very survival?

Since the age of thirteen, Meela had spent her life training for this moment. She is part of the Ice Massacre. The ship sails tomorrow and her life is in her own hands and that of nineteen other girls.

The training masters methods were barbaric and desperate.

Would twenty girls do better than the twenty men they’d sent all the years before?

I walked with Meela through the woods to the dock. I heard the leaves rustling and smelled their musty fragrance, I heard the birds singing, and felt the mist hanging heavy in the air.

Meela had been taught mermaids are sea demons that keep them from fishing, sink their ships and kill everyone on board. It did not stop her from becoming friends with a mermaid named Lysi, after saving Lysi’s life. They knew it was wrong, but it didn’t matter to them. The oceans are vast and Meela doesn’t understand why there isn’t enough for everyone.

“Our friendship is stronger than her instincts.”

I think that statement will be put to the test.

Tiana Warner’s characters come alive on the pages. I loved and hated them. I yelled at them as they began to fight each other, wanting to warn them and help them in any way I could. Their very survival could depend on the girl next to them.

Annith is her best friend. Other than Lysi.

Dani is a bitch and that about covers her personality. She is mean, a bully.

Tanuu is the young man in love with her.

Tiana’s descriptions of the mermaids are so vivid I can see them; their red eyes, razor sharp teeth, webbed fingers, flesh morphing into scales to the end of their tail. They are ferocious and ugly, but can make themselves look almost human with lovely hair and bright alluring eyes with a voice that can hypnotize the human male.

I can visualize the battle; the mermaids super strength, shells and darts used as weapons, against iron bolts and knives. The humans thought they had an edge because they could plan and strategize. Did they really believe that mermaids were only demon fish, with no ability to plan and execute?

I couldn’t help but smile at the end. I LOVE it. That thought had entered my mind and came back to me off and on as I read htrough the novel, but it was still a bit of a surprise. A fantastic ending that is so unique and original, it will stick with me for a long time.

My only complaint is I want more. Trilogy???

I picked this up for free, during a tour I participated in.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos 5 Stars

 DO YOU BELIEVE?

Tiana WarnerABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tiana Warner was born and raised in British Columbia. She graduated from UBC in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, and works at a software company doing technical content marketing. Tiana is an avid supporter of animal welfare. In her spare time, she enjoys riding her horse, Bailey, and collecting tea cups. This is her second self-published novel.

#1 AMAZON KINDLE BESTSELLER

Blog  /  Twitter  /  Goodreads

 Click on the cover below to get your Amazon copy of Ice Massacre, or learn more about Tiana Warner

 

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FREE – Ice Massacre by Tiana Warner book blitz giveaway

OMG! I love mermaids and was so excited when I saw the Xpresso tour for Ice Massacre by Tiana Warner.

These are not the girlie girl mermaids of Splash, but vicious sea monster. I’m loving it more. 😈

It sounds like a B movie and I LOVE those.

I feel the same way about B movie books, know what I mean?

I WANT!

And I will have it. “as I greedily rub my hands together”

Ice Massacre by Tiana Warner is FREE during the blitz.

Be sure and grab your copy.

Post includes: synopsis, author interview, guest post and excerpt…

Enter the giveaway for a signed copy of your very own.

IceMassacreBlitzBanner1

I mean, check out that awesome banner.

Just wait until you see the bloodcurdling cover.

Anyone care to take a dip?

Add ME to your GOODREADS reading list here.

_________
 
Book & Author Details:
 .
Ice Massacre by Tiana Warner
Publication date: September 18th 2014
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
.
SYNOPSIS

A mermaid’s supernatural beauty serves one purpose: to lure a sailor to his death.

The Massacre is supposed to bring peace to Eriana Kwai. Every year, the island sends its warriors to battle these hostile sea demons. Every year, the warriors fail to return. Desperate for survival, the island must decide on a new strategy. Now, the fate of Eriana Kwai lies in the hands of twenty battle-trained girls and their resistance to a mermaid’s allure.

Eighteen-year-old Meela has already lost her brother to the Massacre, and she has lived with a secret that’s haunted her since childhood. For any hope of survival, she must overcome the demons of her past and become a ruthless mermaid killer.

For the first time, Eriana Kwai’s Massacre warriors are female, and Meela must fight for her people’s freedom on the Pacific Ocean’s deadliest battleground.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

Give us the tweet-sized version of what Ice Massacre is about.

A teenage girl is sent to battle the hostile mermaids that are driving her people into poverty. A story of love, secrets, and ass-kicking.

What makes Ice Massacre unique?

First, I haven’t seen a lot out there that portrays mermaids for what they really are: flesh-eating sea demons. But I think what also sets it apart is its almost entirely female cast. This island decides to send female warriors to kill the mermaids that plague them, because women don’t fall victim to a mermaid’s supernatural allure. We end up with an all-female war on a ship in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

Meela, an aboriginal girl who’s never been away from the tiny island she calls home, also has a pretty unique journey of self-discovery. I don’t want to reveal too much. But I think a lot of aspects make this story unconventional.

What’s your favourite thing about the book?

I love Meela’s antagonists. Meela’s a tough chick and she has a lot coming at her from all directions. Writing those opposing forces was so much fun.

What’s next for you as a writer?

The sequel! This is the first in a trilogy, and I’m hard at work on book two: Ice Crypt.

GUEST POST

Finish your story: 3 Tips for Getting that Book Done

To make a ridiculous understatement, writing a book is hard. Few people actually finish the task—whether because they can’t find the time, or they get stuck in a story rut, or they lose inspiration once they realize how difficult it is. Let me tell you, there is nothing more rewarding than a finished and published book! Here are three tips to help you get that story done.

1. Write down your dream and look at it daily

Writing down a goal is a magical thing. When you make it tangible, it’s like you’ve transformed your dream into a prophecy.

Write “I am a bestselling author” (or whatever your goal is) on an index card. Look at it every day. Live it and believe it. Work at that dream every single day, even if only for twenty minutes.

Because I have a full-time job and hobbies, the only time I had to write Ice Massacre was between 6am and 7am. I’m not a morning person, but by putting that index card over my alarm clock, I gave myself the motivation to leap out of bed and get to work on my dream. I promise you, it’s effective.

2. Understand that your first draft will suck

All right, I’m going to be honest with you. The first draft of anything I write is like, the worst thing ever. It’s like someone gave a chimpanzee a dictionary and a pen and wouldn’t feed him until he scribbled out enough words to form a full-length novel.

The second draft, however, is better. The third and fourth are pretty darn good. My point is, don’t be discouraged when your novel sucks after the first go-around. You can’t possibly make a fantastic story in only one draft—you need time to get to know the characters, to identify plot holes, to fix the fact that you used the word “sighed” eighty times in one chapter. Personally, it takes me at least seven drafts to get a novel right.

3. Study the craft of writing

A common reason why writers get stuck is that they hit a roadblock in their story. They’ve dug themselves into a plot hole, or they don’t know where to go next. I’ve probably read a thousand blog posts about writing over the last few years. There are endless resources to help you learn the craft, and I recommend that you subscribe to a few writing blogs and read at least one post every day.

Here are a few of my favourites:

 *             *             *

Finishing your book comes down to working hard and believing in yourself. You don’t need to be the best writer in the world in order to write a good book—you just need to have a story to share and the drive to write it!

Do you ever find it hard to finish a story? What tips and inspiration can you share?

EXCERPT

Somewhere on the Pacific Ocean

The young man aimed his crossbow at the water, ready to fire a bolt of solid iron at the first glimpse of flesh beneath the surface.

“Sir,” he said, “shouldn’t we have seen one by now?”

The captain turned his back to the salty wind, jaw tight. “They know we’re here.”

“So what are they doing?”

He followed the captain’s gaze. Blackness merged with the empty grey horizon in every direction. A long silence passed, filled only by gentle swells lapping against the ship.

The captain drew his own crossbow.

“Forming a plan.”

All twenty men aboard the ship readied their weapons, reacting in a chain until the last man at the stern took steady aim at the waves.

“Make ready your iron, men,” shouted the captain. “We have ripples approaching off the port side.”

A handful of places in the water puckered, as if something lingered just below the surface. The sea was too black to tell.

Then it happened. Fifty, maybe sixty sea demons burst from the water and slammed against the ship. The men wasted no time. They reacted with trained speed and agility as the demons thrust stones and jagged shells into the wood, both to break holes in the ship and to scale the sides. The men picked them off with bolts of iron and watched them fall one by one back into the sea.

But they were outnumbered. Soon the demons were upon the ship, pulling themselves across the deck with bony arms.

The young man had already shot a dozen and the water reddened with each passing second.

Slow scraping sounds threatened him from behind. He whirled around, crossbow ready. Burning eyes met his, and sharp teeth, bared to rip into his flesh. He gripped the trigger, felt the bow tighten—

And the demon was gone. The young man stared into the wide gaze of a girl his own age. With a startled cry, he jerked his aim so the bolt barely missed her.

She held a black shell in her hand, sharp at the edges and ready to use as a club. But she didn’t raise it. She just looked at him.

He lowered his crossbow.

Her blonde hair fell heavily over her shoulders, dripping beads of water down her naked chest and stomach, pooling where her torso joined her tail.

He blinked, but made no other motion—where her torso joined her tail. Scales faded into flesh like some sort of beautiful, green and tan sunset.

She pulled herself closer.

“Stay back,” said the young man, unsure what prompted him to hesitate.

He looked into her eyes—emeralds surrounded by pearl white—where moments ago they had burned red. Her sharp teeth had retracted behind rosy lips. The seaweed-coloured flesh of her upper body was now olive and raised with goose bumps from the icy wind.

Hanu aii,” she whispered. Do not fear. She spoke his language.

He loosened his grip on the crossbow, studying her. She lifted a frail arm and pushed the hair from her eyes, then motioned him forwards.

His pulse quickened as he stared at the beautiful girl.

Hanu aii,” she said again, her voice resonating sweetly, as if she sang without singing.

Suddenly, he was kneeling in front of her, level with her luminous eyes. The sounds around him faded but for the soft purr in the base of her throat.

She reached up and held an icy hand to his cheek, not for a moment breaking eye contact. The hand slid behind his head and pulled his face towards hers, slowly but firmly. He inhaled her sweet breath.

“No!”

He flinched. He turned to see the captain racing towards them, aiming his crossbow at the maiden.

The young man grasped the scene around him. The ship was empty. A few stray weapons and barrels bobbed serenely in the water. Blood soaked the deck in places, and even the main mast had a splatter across the bottom.

The captain fired wide. Before he could reload and aim again, the sea demon put a hand on the young man’s chin and pulled his gaze back to hers.

Her eyes blazed red. Her skin rippled into the rotten colour of seaweed. Her ears grew pointed and long like sprouting coral. She opened her mouth to reveal a row of deadly teeth.

The young man screamed.

The demon pulled him against her with more strength than three men combined, and they dove headfirst off the side of the ship.

They disappeared into the blood-red water.

AUTHOR BIO

Tiana Warner was born and raised in British Columbia, Canada. She enjoys riding her horse, Bailey, and collecting tea cups.

Author links:  Website  /  Twitter Goodreads

.
Help yourself to the free copy of Ice Massacre by Tiana Warner, during the blitz.

taiwan flag smiley animated gif Pictures, Images and PhotosGIVEAWAY

Blitz-wide giveaway (INTL)
–Signed copy of Ice Massacre

ENTER THE RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?

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